A brief take on India

You get into traffic, and it feels as if your bus is driving on the moon. The craters are huge and the paving is so uneven the windows and seats rattle non-stop. Everyone honks their horns as they pass eachother (any courteous Indian driver would). As you drive, dust unsettles and the relentless Indian sun beats down. Cows, dogs, people, bikes, goats and many vehicles surge in and out of lanes. Every so often you smell odours that are so intense you feel like you are in the middle of a landfill. This is an image of pure chaos, but it is the chaos that stole my heart. Hidden within that chaos were so many beautiful moments, that I am already planning my next trip to India.

The music, upbeat and fast paced. The sound of bells jingling on women's anklets as they carry baskets of fruit on their heads. These same women who are decked out in the most beautifully beaded, brightly colored saris I have ever seen. The families who wave and say hello. The men who go out of their way to help you navigate the chaos, not because they want something, but because they want you to enjoy your visit. The people who celebrate every occasion, big or small, and who openly invite you to learn about Hinduism, and witness or partake in blessings and candle lightings and big days like Dussehra or Diwali.

I fell in love with the culture and the people and the strength they posses. I enjoyed the flavors and the sights and took in as much as I could. I saw a tiny fraction of the diverse landscapes India has, from deserts to the coast, mountains to farm lands, volcanic rocks and river rapids. Every place had it's own personality and it's own way of life.  Varanasi, the oldest living city, with the River Ganges and Ghats, jam packed with life and death and all sorts of people all packed in. Orccha, with it's lush greenery and beautiful river sunsets, with a small town feel and everyone knows eachother. Mysore, with it's palaces and beautiful textiles. Hampi with boulders surrounding the town, and a hippy vibe. Goa with it's beaches and party nights. Of course there is also the Taj Mahal and many other things, but those are the places that marked me the most during my month in India.